Marseilles
- February 13, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
Marseilles is in the Theatre District, and they promptly asked if we were going to an 8pm show. The restaurant has a real French bistro feel, casual and lively, with the tables fairly close together. The name Marseilles also reflects the decor of that area. The influences of northern Africa are seen in the mosaic tiles which form part of the decor. On the evening we were there, the light coming in from the windows lit up the room and reflected off the bright colourful tiles.
Many groups of other theatre-goers were dining and the modest sized restaurant was filled with the bright chatter of everyone anticipating their evening's entertainment.
The mostly young wait staff zipped around the narrow spaces between the tables filling everyone's orders promptly. We wondered how many might be aspiring actors having to wait tables until they found that role of a lifetime.
The menu is classic French bistro from southern France. You are given a menu but in true bistro style, it is also written up on a chalkboard. I had the tomato-and-basil salad and the bouillabaisse-and-sour cherry sorbet, and my companion had Romaine salad, short-rib daube, and chocolate ice cream. Service was quick, food was good, there was a lively atmosphere, and the bill was modest, even with a bottle of wine. We got to our show in plenty of time.
From journal Enjoying Art, Theatre, and Food in Manhattan